|
|
|
Latest News
|  |
Vermont/Stanstead Quarry Tours include chance for free airfare
Water Treatment Technologies (WTT) is now offering participants of the Vermont/Stanstead Quarry Tours -- part of the Stone World/Marble Institute of America Stone Industry Education Series -- a chance for a free airline ticket on Southwest Airlines to Manchester, NH, in the region of the tour's start. Vermont has long been known for its rich stone heritage, and it is said that every stone professional should experience the uniqueness of the Vermont quarries at least once in their lifetime. The event will also include a look at the rich heritage of the granite industry in Stanstead, Quebec (the granite capital of Canada).
|
|
An open letter to the industry from the NSC regarding the check-off program
Dear Industry Member –
Now that the political scene is becoming somewhat established in Washington D.C., work has begun in earnest to investigate the feasibility of establishing a check off program for the natural stone industry. A prominent Washington government relations and lobbying firm with success in establishing and advising check off boards has been hired to assist us in the process. This firm also has relationships with key decision makers in the Congress and the Executive Branch who will be important in authorizing and administering any natural stone check off program. We have had several meetings with leading members of Congress and their staffs to determine their willingness to work with us. Although there are still many unknowns, we are encouraged by the progress made to date.
|
|
Frequently Asked Questions about the industry check-off program
The Natural Stone Council (NSC) and the entire industry will need to have support in Congress to introduce and enact legislation to authorize a Check-off Program to generate funds to promote the use of natural stone. To better understand the program we have developed a list of frequently asked questions.
|
|
 | "Live" Report from Nuremberg, Germany: 2009 Stone+tec fair opens
Stone+tec 2009, the biennial trade fair taking place in Nuremberg, Germany, opened its doors today, and it will take place throughout the week. Although holding a trade fair (or exhibiting at one) during an international economic crisis can be difficult, the companies at Stone+tec came prepared to do business.
by Michael Reis
|
|
 | CMS / Brembana to hold Open House
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- An international open house will be held by CMS / Brembana this July 23, 24 and 25 at the company's Grand Rapids, MI, location to display their new Falcon sawing system. It features a 5-axis head, which allows for sawing bevels and miters, along with an automated material handling unit right on the saw head. The combination of these two functions makes the Falcon fast, accurate and flexible -- second to none in the industry, reports the manufacturer.
|
|
Natural Stone Council Builds Online Resource Library for Industry
HOLLIS, NH -- The Natural Stone Council (NSC), a collaborative organization representing business and trade associations serving the natural stone industry, has announced the ever-growing repository of natural stone information available on its Web site – www.GenuineStone.org.
|
|
Coverings 2009 Wrap-Up
Even in "normal" years, stone industry professionals I meet with tend to have the same question for me this time of year: "How was Coverings?" I'd say this has been the case for all 16 editions of the show that I have visited during my time at Stone World.
by Michael Reis
|
|
Fabrication plant in Quonset Point, RI, under new ownership
QUONSET POINT, RI -- Don and Angela Conte of AC Stone, LLC, have acquired the fabrication facility formerly operated by New England Stone, LLC. The new company, Structural Stone, LLC, is in full operation and is a full-service stone fabricator based in Quonset Point, RI.
|
|
 | Stone Industry Education kicks off
The Marble Institute of America and Stone World combined forces this year to deliver the best quality regional education program offered in the stone industry. The 2009 program, focused on cost effective, practical, business-building programs kicked off in Dallas in March. Over 50 industry professionals heard from industry experts Tony Malisani and Fred Jackson. The seminar concluded with an industry briefing and networking reception.
|
|
Home builder confidence posts biggest gain in five years
Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes rose 5 points in April to the highest level since October 2008, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released on April 15. This gain was the largest one-month increase recorded since May of 2003, and brings the HMI out of single-digit territory for the first time in six months -- to 14. Every component of the HMI reflected the boost, with the biggest gain recorded for sales expectations in the next six months.
|
|
 | The Charles Luck Stone Center opens new Studio
CHARLOTTE, NC -- The Charles Luck Stone Center, a division of Luck Stone Corp. and one of the largest natural stone suppliers in the Mid-Atlantic, is introducing a new concept for selling stone in Charlotte, NC. The intent is to offer a unique experience built on tailored customer service and distinctive products that are relevant, purposeful and beautiful. The concept includes the opening of a new studio meant to spur design ideas and a process that makes it possible for associates to work one-on-one with customers to answer their curiosity about stone while satisfying their stone needs.
|
|
MIA accepting entries for 2009 Pinnacle and Grande Pinnacle Awards
CLEVELAND, OH -- The Marble Institute of America (MIA) has issued a call for entries for the prestigious 2009 Pinnacle Awards Competition, which includes the recently added Grande Pinnacle Award. The Grande Pinnacle Award will be awarded to the best winning entry across all categories.
|
|
 | Cold Spring Granite awarded LEED® Gold Green Building certification
COLD SPRING, MN -- Cold Spring Granite Co., a leading quarrier and fabricator of natural stone in North America, has announced that its new 22,500-square-foot corporate headquarters received LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the USGBC's leading rating system for designing and constructing the world's greenest, most energy efficient and high-performing buildings.
|
|
NBC television affiliate affirms bacteria-resistance of granite
Responding to concerns about bacteria build-up in countertops, NBC's television affiliate in St. Louis, MO, KSDK, conducted independent testing that confirmed granite as a premium building material in terms of anti-bacterial and cleanability qualities.
|
|
 | Vitória Stone Fair has a respectable showing in Brazil
The Vitória Stone Fair took place in the stoneworking center of Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil, from February 10 to 13, and despite difficulties on the worldwide economic front, the show remains a key event for the international stone trade. After a somewhat slow opening day, traffic on the trade show floor picked up as the event moved along, and exhibitors reported that they had quality meetings during the fair. The general consensus was that the visitors who came to the event "came for business," rather than a junket to Brazil.
|
|
Akemi restructures North American distribution
Akemi Chemisch-Technische Spezialfabrik GmbH (Akemi GmbH), with the agreement and assistance of Akemi North America, Inc. (Akemi NA), has restructured its U.S. distribution, under which Akemi Germany will support domestic distribution and some U.S. manufacturing in the state of Georgia through:
|
|
NSC links Green Building certification programs and Genuine StoneTM
HOLLIS, NH -- The Natural Stone Council (NSC), a collaborative organization representing business and trade associations that promote stone under the Genuine Stone™ brand, recently announced the availability of its first case study in a series of research-based documents highlighting the environmental advantages of natural stone. The case study, "Application of Green Building Certification Programs to Natural Stone," may be found on the NSC's Web site: http://www.genuinestone.com/env_researchandresults.php.
|
|
 | FOUNDER OF VIC INTERNATIONAL CORP. MOVES TO CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
KNOXVILLE, TN -- VIC International Corp., a leading supplier of stone machinery, tools and accessories, has restructured its executive staff, including a move by founder Vic Green to Chairman of the Board. Green founded the company in 1978, and over the past 30 years has built VIC into a recognized leader in its markets.
|
|
Michigan granite shop closing is worst "disaster" yet
As this downturn/recession/depression (pick whichever term you like) wears on, we are hearing some ugly stories of fabrication shops closing down, but I recently heard one of the worst ones yet. The fabrication shop at issue is Rock Tops, which is based in Michigan and operated in several states, and they apparently ceased fabrication in late December of 2008.
by Michael Reis
|
|
Industry experts to headline the NDRExpo's debut conference program
NEW ORLEANS, LA -- National disaster recovery and reconstruction experts headline the first National Disaster Reconstruction Expo's (NDRExpo) conference program. The NDRExpo was developed to unite the numerous vertical markets associated with disaster preparation, response, recovery and rebuilding. The conference program reflects this diversity with a robust line-up of industry experts. NDRExpo launches June 17 to 18, 2009 at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA.
|
|
NSC links green building certification programs and genuine stone
Hollis, NH -- The Natural Stone Council (NSC), a collaborative organization representing business and trade associations that promote stone under the Genuine Stone™ brand, has announced the availability of its first case study in a series of research-based documents highlighting the environmental advantages of natural stone. The case study, "Application of Green Building Certification Programs to Natural Stone," may be found on the NSC's Web site: http://www.genuinestone.com/env_researchandresults.php.
|
|
 | Alpha Professional Tools® pays tribute to one of its first customers
While StonExpo served as a place for many dealers and fabricators to discuss new products and trends in the stone industry, for Nao Takahashi, President of Alpha Professional Tools, it was also a time to reflect and pay tribute to a well-known individual in the industry, Peter de Kok, President of GranQuartz. "After 39 years of dedicated service to GranQuartz, Peter will hand in his calculator and retire," Takahashi said.
|
|
Largest study of granite countertops finds no stones that pose health threat
Cleveland, OH -- The most comprehensive scientific study of health threats from granite countertops did not find a single stone slab that poses a health risk. Quantities of radon and radiation emitted by stones included in the analysis all fell well below average background levels commonly found in the U.S.
|
|
O&G Industries and Stony Creek Quarry form alliance to meet "green" demands
Torrington, CT -- The convergence of the masonry and quarry industries took a significant step forward as the Masonry Division of O&G Industries and Stony Creek Quarry Corp. announced a strategic alliance based on a shared vision to provide LEED®-certified quality granite to the marketplace. By engaging the companies at the material, business and marketing levels, the alliance will allow both companies to drive new growth opportunities and has the potential to ultimately transform project specifications, reaching higher LEED certification levels and meeting reduced carbon-footprint regulations.
|
|
 | Marmomacc Fair in Verona, Italy, exceeds expectations
VERONA, ITALY -- Closing its doors on Sunday, October 6, after four successful days, the Marmomacc Stone Fair in Verona, Italy, reported that the event succeeded expectations, and this sentiment was confirmed by many exhibitors at the exhibition.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
